■Chemical Engineering Laboratory

Professor, Kiyofumi Kurihara; Assistant Professor, Hiroyuki Matsuda

　 The primary process in chemical industry consists of running chemical reactions and separating the products, with more than half of the process belonging to the latter. In this laboratory, measurements of physicochemical properties of materials are conducted, as well as the development of prediction theory on fluid mixture. Furthermore, research to reduce environmental problems are in progress, such as, the removal of microelements from waste gas and water, the development of a reaction process utilizing supercritical fluid, and the development of an environment-compatible substitute for chlorofluorocarbon.

■ Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology

　 Amino acids, except for glycine, have two configurations of optical isomers. Almost all the animal proteins are composed of only L-amino acids. The role and metabolic pathway of free D-amino acids present in organisms are studied in this laboratory. Several microorganisms, including a hiperthermophlic and hiperhalophilic archaea that grow at 100℃ and in 4 M NaCl, respectively, are cultivated in the laboratory. Extraction of racemase and D-amino acid dehydrogenase from the organisms and purification of the enzymes are proceeding in order to elucidate the mechanisms that ensure the organisms the ability of growing in such extreme environments.

■ Polymer Engineering Laboratory

　Evaluation of polymer materials, from an industrial point of view, and the design and development of a new polymer are the main themes of this laboratory. Interaction of polymers, microstructures of polymer-gels, and hybrids of polymer and inorganic compounds are investigated at the nanometer level by using chemical and physical analysis methods, especially small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering. The molecular design and development of hyper-functional and high-performance polymers as well as bio-compatible materials are in progress in the laboratory based on the results of the above physicochemical analyses.

■ Polymer Synthesis Laboratory

Projects proceeding in this laboratory are as follows: (1) Production of an environment-compatible polymer, a hybrid of a natural polymer and inorganic compounds of nanometer size, (2) Synthesis of a polymer that possesses a novel function by using the laboratoryﾕs special technique to prepare a polymer having an end-reactive group, (3) Synthesis of a new polymer under super critical conditions. (4) Ssynthesis of a new polymer that possesses the ability to self-replicate like DNA, and that possesses a chain structure composed of several molecules.

■ Chemical Laboratory of Resources Utilization

　Coal and biomass have received attention as alternatives to petroleum. However, the chemical structures of these materials are not fully clarified, and the energy conversion techniques that consider the earth environment have not been developed enough for practical use. In this laboratory, researches about the conversions of biomass (wood, food), coal (brown, subbituminous), and wastes (plastic, rubber, asphalt) to valuable products are in progress. The laboratory is aiming to establish an energy-recycling society based on the results of these studies.

■ Laboratory for Organic Natural Resources

　The followings are the major research subjects of this laboratory. (1) Development of novel bioactive molecules from plants, microbes and marine organisms. (2) Production of functional (bioactive) molecules by microbes. (3) Development of techniques for industrial use from enzyme-catalyzed reactions. (4) Development of a new technique for environment-compatible use of lipid resources.

■ Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

　It is necessary to know the constituents, contents and components of materials to understand them. Analytical methods to obtain this data are being developed in the laboratory as follows: (1) a solid-phase concentration and separation method able to separate selectively a substance; (2) a high sensitivity analytical method with atomic absorption spectrometry; (3) flow injection analysis composed of several columns containing immobilized functional substances such as enzymes, and controlled by on-line automated or semi-automated computer programs; (4) high-performance liquid chromatography.

■ Inorganic Materials Laboratory

　Inorganic industrial materials such as cement, gypsum, lime, and apatite derived from lime stone (CaCO3) are used as the starting materials for the synthesis of precious ceramics. In this laboratory, synthesis of a calcium oxide compounds, analysis of its structure and properties, and its development are in progress. The most important research themes investigated in this laboratory are: (1) the biomimetic and phosphor materials made of calcium oxide compounds, (2) the resource- recycling of industrial wastes such as waste concrete and gypsum, and (3) the recycling of carbon dioxide.

■ Synthetic Organic Chemistry

　Characteristic organic compounds are being developed and synthesized in the laboratory as follows:
(1) Novel synthetic reactions using organic compounds containing group VIb elements such as sulfur and selenium, which are essential trace elements in life.
(2) Synthetic methods and functions of molecular wires and switches using metal complexes, aiming at the realization of molecular devices which can manipulate electrons and photons at the molecular level.
(3) Derivatives of useful biologically active substances and evaluating their functions.
(4) Organic reactions using ﾒsupported reagentsﾓ, that is reagents supported on the surface of inorganic solids.

■ Laboratory of Supramolecular Chemistry

　We develop functional nano-structured materials including molecules, molecular assemblies, and nanoparticles; reveal interactions of these materials with light, electrons, and living organisms; thus create highly functional nanodevices, photoelectrochemical devices, solar cell materials, photocatalysts, and materials for cancer treatment.